Juvenile justice bill passes House subcommittee

April 22, 1999
Web posted at: 2:41 p.m. EDT (1841 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A House Judiciary subcommittee has passed a juvenile justice bill supporters say includes a number of the elements that are particularly relevant given the shootings in a Colorado high school.

The measure passed the panel by voice vote Thursday with a broad spectrum of support ranging from conservative Rep. Bob Barr (R-Georgia) to liberal Rep. Sheila Jackson -Lee, (D-Texas).

The measure is expected to reach the House floor sometime in May. It has been in the works for two years.

The legislation would establish juvenile gun courts for teen offenders.
It would provide grant money to help prosecutors deal with drug, gang and youth violence. And would set up an inter-agency information sharing program between the juvenile and criminal justice systems, schools and social service agencies.